Online gathering of health stakeholders ahead of 47th COHSOD; collective action urgently needed

Dr. Andy St. Hilaire, who serves as the Officer-in-Charge at the Office of the Chief Medical Officer in Dominica, presided over a preparatory meeting for the upcoming Forty-Seventh Meeting of the Council for Human and Social Development (COHSOD) – Health, which took place online on September 11, 2024. The meeting saw participation from Chief Medical Officers, national health officials, and representatives from various regional organizations, including the Caribbean Public Health Agency (CARPHA), the Caribbean Disaster Emergency Management Agency (CDEMA), the Human Resources for Health Caribbean Commission, and the Regional Nursing Body. Additionally, international partners such as the Global Fund and the Pan American Health Organization (PAHO)/World Health Organization (WHO) were also involved.

A key highlight of the meeting was the discussion of a policy brief addressing the migration of healthcare professionals within the Caribbean, aimed at stakeholders involved in health sector development. Additional presentations covered the region’s epidemiological patterns and their implications for policy, as well as strategies to combat communicable diseases. The discussions also emphasized the need to enhance the region’s health systems and improve the capacity of its health workforce.

In her opening remarks, Ms. Tamara Bobb, the Programme Manager for Health Sector Development at the CARICOM Secretariat, pointed out the repercussions of Hurricane Beryl on CARICOM Member States.

“Approximately 76% of all deaths in the Region are caused by NCDs,” said the programme manager, indicating the number one cause of death in the Caribbean.

Bobb also noted a rise in endemic infectious diseases such as Dengue and Malaria. Furthermore, she urged Member States to stay alert regarding the threat posed by Mpox, which was classified as a public health emergency of international concern by the WHO in August 2024. The escalating rates of crime and violence in the region were also highlighted, having been recognized by Heads of Government as a public health issue in 2023.

This meeting was vital for guiding the ongoing leadership and strategic planning of the region’s health sector as stakeholders gear up for the Forty-Seventh COHSOD – Health, scheduled for September 27-28, 2024, in Washington, D.C., USA.

According to a statement on the matter by CARICOM, the organization “remains committed to ensuring that Member States’ specific needs are expressed and that the Community continues to make valuable contributions to setting the global health agenda.”